An unanswered cookware question....

[Renee1965]

Hello,

My adult son, who is living with us in between his bachelor’s degree and grad school, got a cockatiel about 6 months ago. We all adore Benny! I got rid of all of my nonstick cookware as well as my silicone bakeware (and anything else we thought was questionable to have in the house with him). I’d like to buy a stovetop pressure cooker, but they all have either rubber or silicone gaskets and plastic handles, and I haven’t been able to find out whether this would be safe to be in the house with Benny. I don’t want to take any chances, so I’ll gladly go without if need be. Can anyone advise me about the safety of a stovetop pressure cooker?

Thank you!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, thanks for considering Benny's well being.

Internal pressure cooker temperatures are likely high enough to activate (outgas) Teflon or other PFOA substances. I don't believe rubber or silicone gaskets would pose a threat, but will defer to our more knowledgeable members.

Should pressure cookers be deemed hazardous, perhaps an electric plug-in unit operated in a remote area or outside on deck/patio is worthy compromise?

 

[Renee1965]

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it. It’s hard to overstate how much we love this little bird!

 

[SailBoat]

Pressure cookers with rubber gaskets are safe when used as directed by the unit's manual. The same is true for the plastic handles. When the rubber gasket and plastic handles are placed in direct contact with fire or heated beyond their melting point, both will provided dangerous smoke for Parrots and Humans alike. Once again, used properly they are safe.

Silicone gaskets are a true question as a result of the vast variation in chemicals, which silicone products can be manufactured.

 

[wrench13]

I think the silicone rubber gasket will not be an issue, as long as its not exposed to flames or high heat ( over 550F or so). What you need to find out is what the heating elements are coated with, which is often Teflon (PTFE) or a variation of that. Its when those compounds get excessively hot that they start to out gas deadly to birds fumes. If you contact the makers customer support they might be able to tell you, after they consult with engineering or manufacturing.

But I think your son owes us a nice beef stew now !

 

[Flboy]

Question, why stovetop? I have both, and I prefer the electric!

 

[SailBoat]

Question, why stovetop? I have both, and I prefer the electric!

We're stovetop folks, likely because our grandmothers and mothers used stovetop units. My big hold to stovetop is the hood fan above the stovetop. Plus, it can be used on either an electric or gas stovetop... Just my two cents...

 

[Renee1965]

Thanks everyone— stovetop because we live “off the grid” so appliances with heating elements are not great for our solar/wind electric system.

 

[Scott]

Thanks everyone— stovetop because we live “off the grid” so appliances with heating elements are not great for our solar/wind electric system.

Fascinating, you also have one or more windmill devices?!